Tim Joel, events and cultural services manager, said: “We are looking to bring more major events to Moor Park.

“Many people will remember the Radio One Big Weekend and it is possible to get these type of events to Preston.

“The Heritage Lottery Funding is a big step forward in getting promoters to bring events here, as we need the hardstanding area, widening access routes and also increasing the capacity.”

The crowd capacity for events with the new licence would be lifted to 19,999.

However Mr Joel warned events of this size would not be frequent.

He said: “We’re talking maybe one or two a year.

“And the alcohol part of the licence would only be for a small area of the park and for certain events to be able to sell alcohol. A lot of the larger events have a bar element which they need to generate additional income.”

The largest park in the city is undergoing a £2million facelift as part of a Heritage Lottery-funded project.